Japanese word

反対

Pronunciation

Romajihantai

Meaning

  • nounopposite

Example

暑いの反対は寒いです。atsu i no han tai wa samu i de su

The opposite of hot is cold.

Illustration for 反対 (opposite)

More examples

右と左は反対の方向です。migi to hidari wa han tai no hō kō de su

Right and left point in opposite directions.

Core concept

Marks the other side of a comparison, where a quality or condition is reversed.

Common phrases

  • 反対側han tai gawa

    opposite side

  • 反対の方向han tai no hō kō

    opposite direction

  • 反対意見han tai i ken

    opposing opinion

Similar words

逆gyaku: A direction, position, or condition that is opposite to another.
正反対seihantai: A person, thing, or condition that is completely opposite to another.
あべこべabekobe: A state in which the order or relationship of things is reversed.

Definition in Japanese

あるものと性質や状態などが逆であるもの。a ru mo no to sei shitsu ya jō tai na do ga gyaku de a ru mo no

Word origin

反対 (hantai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 反 (han, "against") and 対 (tai, "face"), expressing two sides that face against each other.

Usage tips

  • In everyday directions, 反対側 (hantaigawa) means the opposite side, so 反対 (hantai) can describe a position as well as a quality or condition.

Other meanings

  • oppositionnoun
  • opposedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 反対者hantaishaopponentnoun

Word lists with this word